Universal Passenger Seat System and Data Interface

ABSTRACT

A universal passenger seat system includes a system controller and a physical connection interface with a standardized communication protocol for coupling the system controller with seating hardware, at least one peripheral device, and at least one network connection. The system controller can also be in communication with a biometric sensor, a physiological sensor, and/or a situational data sensor. An artificial intelligence engine is communicatively coupled to or embedded within the system controller. The artificial intelligence engine is configured to determine a passenger status based on data received from the biometric sensor, the physiological sensor, and/or the situational data sensor and is further configured to generate one or more communication signals based on the data. For example, the communication signals can include control signals for the seating hardware, information signals for peripheral devices, or status signals for transmission via the network connection.

BACKGROUND

The advent of autonomous vehicles and increased reliance on mass transitvehicles (e.g., busses, trains, airplanes, boats, etc.) create ascenario where most passengers will be recumbent and none drivers. Mostvehicles will then have passengers that share the fact that they arenon-participants.

With travel times happening above one to two hours, passengers will needto recline, to stretch out and to go into “bed mode.” In the past fewyears train manufacturers have reengineered articulating aircraftbusiness class seats to fit in premium spaces on high speed trains. Theyhave seen the aircraft industry lead the way in this mode of travel.Additionally, the technology and information streamed through thevarious autonomous and/or mass transit vehicles will be pumped intopassenger cabins. In the case of modern automobiles the communicationtechnology and actuation is also ported into the seat unit.

There is a need to have a singular system that copes with the seatingdemands of each transportation method as one combined modular system.This development would the engineering effort and resources spent. Inother areas, there have been similar cross over adoptions. For example,physical seat track fittings from one industry to another and electricalcontrol buses going the other way. In other words the industries arealready borrowing good ideas from each other in an ad hoc fashion.

With an increased use of autonomous and/or mass transit vehicles, thereis also an increased need to verify what is happening to the passenger,what is happening in the particular travel segment and specifically whatis happening when an incident occurs.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed hereinare directed to a universal passenger seat system (UPSS). The UPSS caninclude an enclosure configured to be coupled to a seat supportstructure with a system controller disposed within the enclosure. TheUPSS can further include a physical connection interface with astandardized communication protocol for coupling the system controllerwith seating hardware, at least one peripheral device, and at least onenetwork connection. The system controller can also be in communicationwith a biometric sensor, a physiological sensor, and/or a situationaldata sensor. An artificial intelligence engine is communicativelycoupled to or embedded within the system controller. The artificialintelligence engine is configured to determine a passenger status basedon data received from the biometric sensor, the physiological sensor,and/or the situational data sensor and is further configured to generateone or more communication signals based on the data. For example, thecommunication signals can include control signals for the seatinghardware (e.g., to adjust seat position, temperature, etc.), informationsignals for peripheral devices (e.g., mobile devices, media interfaces,health monitoring systems, and the like), or status signals fortransmission via the network connection (e.g., for communication with anonboard or remote passenger information system).

In a further aspect, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosedherein are directed to a passenger seat. The passenger seat can includea lower body support member, an upper body support member, and a seatsupport structure coupled to the lower body support member and/or theupper body support member. The passenger seat can include or be coupledto the universal passenger seat system. For example, the enclosure ofthe universal passenger seat system may be coupled to the seat supportstructure (e.g., beneath the lower body support member).

In a further aspect, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosedherein are directed to a UPSS that can be installed in/on any passengersupport structure (e.g., a passenger seat, hospital gurney, etc.). Insuch embodiments, the UPSS can include an enclosure configured to becoupled to the passenger support structure. A system controller can bedisposed within the enclosure. The system controller can be incommunication with at least one biometric sensor, physiological sensor,and/or situational data sensor. An artificial intelligence engine can becommunicatively coupled to or embedded within the system controller. Theartificial intelligence engine is configured to determine a passengerstatus based on data received from the biometric sensor, thephysiological sensor, and/or the situational data sensor and is furtherconfigured to generate one or more communication signals based on thedata.

This Summary is provided solely as an introduction to subject matterthat is fully described in the Detailed Description and Drawings. TheSummary should not be considered to describe essential features nor beused to determine the scope of the Claims. Moreover, it is to beunderstood that both the foregoing Summary and the following DetailedDescription are example and explanatory only and are not necessarilyrestrictive of the subject matter claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations of the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be betterunderstood when consideration is given to the following detaileddescription thereof. Such description makes reference to the includeddrawings, which are not necessarily to scale, and in which some featuresmay be exaggerated and some features may be omitted or may berepresented schematically in the interest of clarity. Like referencenumerals in the drawings may represent and refer to the same or similarelement, feature, or function. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an aircraft environment in which auniversal passenger seat system can be implemented in accordance withexample embodiments of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the universal passenger seatsystem in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a system controller of theuniversal passenger seat system in accordance with example embodimentsof this disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating situational data sensors of theuniversal passenger seat system in accordance with example embodimentsof this disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the universal passenger seatsystem in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure, wherethe universal passenger seat system is at least partially containedwithin a system enclosure;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are a perspective view and an exploded perspective viewof the system enclosure, respectively, in accordance with exampleembodiments of this disclosure;

FIGS. 7A through 7C are illustrations of passenger seats that caninclude or be coupled to a universal passenger seat system in accordancewith example embodiments of this disclosure;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a hospital gurney that can include or becoupled to a universal passenger seat system in accordance with exampleembodiments of this disclosure;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a passenger environment including apassenger seat with a universal passenger seat system included within orcoupled to the passenger seat in accordance with example embodiments ofthis disclosure;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a passenger body portion with a biometricand/or physiological sensor coupled to or embedded within the passengerbody portion in accordance with example embodiments of this disclosure,where the biometric and/or physiological sensor is configured tocommunicate with the universal passenger seat system;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a network environment thatincludes the universal passenger seat system, seating hardware,peripheral devices, and network connections in accordance with exampleembodiments of this disclosure; and

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating connectivity of the universalpassenger seat system with a passenger information system and/or withanother universal passenger seat systems in accordance with exampleembodiments of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein in detail, it is to be understood that the inventiveconcepts are not limited in their application to the details ofconstruction and the arrangement of the components or steps ormethodologies set forth in the following description or illustrated inthe drawings. In the following detailed description of embodiments ofthe instant inventive concepts, numerous specific details are set forthin order to provide a more thorough understanding of the inventiveconcepts. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in theart having the benefit of the instant disclosure that the inventiveconcepts disclosed herein may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known features may not be described indetail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure. Theinventive concepts disclosed herein are capable of other embodiments orof being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As used herein a letter following a reference numeral is intended toreference an embodiment of the feature or element that may be similar,but not necessarily identical, to a previously described element orfeature bearing the same reference numeral (e.g., 1, 1 a, 1 b). Suchshorthand notations are used for purposes of convenience only, andshould not be construed to limit the inventive concepts disclosed hereinin any way unless expressly stated to the contrary.

Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to aninclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or Bis satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or present) and B isfalse (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (orpresent), and both A and B are true (or present).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of embodiments of the instant inventive concepts. This isdone merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the inventiveconcepts, and “a” and “an” are intended to include one or at least oneand the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that itis meant otherwise.

Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment,” or “someembodiments” means that a particular element, feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the inventive concepts disclosed herein.The appearances of the phrase “in some embodiments” in various places inthe specification are not necessarily all referring to the sameembodiment, and embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed mayinclude one or more of the features expressly described or inherentlypresent herein, or any combination of sub-combination of two or moresuch features, along with any other features which may not necessarilybe expressly described or inherently present in the instant disclosure.

Broadly, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein aredirected to a universal passenger seat system (UPSS) and data interface.This disclosure centers on the realization that instead of allowingdiffering systems with little interconnection to develop for autonomousvehicles (e.g., self-driving cars, busses, semi-trucks, trains, boats,airplanes, etc.) and/or mass transit vehicles (e.g., busses, trains,airplanes, boats, etc.), a standardized interface that handles theforeseen needs of passenger seating for autonomous and/or mass transitvehicles is needed. The UPSS and data interface described herein canwork to reduce the presence of concurrent technologies that achievesimilar outcomes in passenger seating for autonomous and/or mass transitvehicles. The UPSS can also provide improvements in response to majorincidents (e.g., crashes, explosions, water landings, system failures,etc.) involving society and autonomous and/or mass transit vehicles. Forexample, data collected and reported by the UPSS can affect the arrivalof ambulances, the assistance given to the disabled, crash victims andany number of incidents in which autonomous and/or mass transit vehicleshave been involved in an incident.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of an aircraft 100 thatincludes a plurality of passenger seats 102. Each passenger seat 102includes or is coupled to a UPSS 200. In embodiments, a passenger seat102 has an upper body support member 104 (e.g., a seat back) and a lowerbody support member 106 (e.g., a seat or base). The passenger seat 102also includes a seat support structure 108 (e.g., a seat chassis and/orseating hardware) that is coupled to and configured to providestructural support for the lower body support member 106 and/or theupper body support member 104. The UPSS 200 can be coupled to the seatsupport structure 108. For example, in some embodiments, the UPSS 200 isdisposed beneath the lower body support member 106. In otherembodiments, the UPSS 200 may be behind the upper body support member104 or coupled to another portion of the seat support structure 108.

In some embodiments, the upper body support member 104 and the lowerbody support member 106 may be separate structures disposed adjacent toone another. Alternatively, the upper body support member 104 and thelower body support member 106 can have one or more shared components.For example, the upper body support member 104 and the lower bodysupport member 106 can have a shared cushion or covering. The upper bodysupport member 104 may be configured to move relative to the lower bodysupport member 106. For example, the upper body support member 104 canbe configured to transition between upright and reclining positions. Insome embodiments, the lower body support member 106 can also beactuated. For example, the lower body support member 106 may beconfigured to move forward and backward. The lower body support member106 and the upper body support member 104 may be simultaneously actuatedto transition from a sitting to a laying position. For example, thelower body support member 106 may actuate forwards while the upper bodysupport member 104 reclines to place the passenger seat 102 in abed-like configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the UPSS 200 can include a system controller202 that includes or is in communication with various components of theUPSS 200. The system controller 202 may include or may be incommunication with one or more of the following: built-in test equipment204, a dynamic (virtual) router 206, communication protocols 208 (e.g.,a standardized UPSS communication protocol and possibly othercommunication protocols (e.g., USB, Ethernet, CAN bus, SAE, J1939, IEEE802++, Bluetooth, and so forth) for compatibility across a broad rangeof devices), a data stream processing system 210, a location determiningcomponent 212 (e.g., GNSS receiver, in-vehicle localizer, etc.), aglobal aeronautical distress and safety system (GADSS) 214, anartificial intelligence engine 216, actuation control hardware 218(e.g., control circuitry for interfacing with seating hardware), aphysical connection interface 220 (e.g., employing the standardized UPSScommunication protocol and/or other communication protocols (e.g., USBconnector, Ethernet connector, etc.)), a neural network processor (NNP)222 or cloud tensor processing unit (TPU) 224, a biometric sensor 226(e.g., voice recognition module, facial recognition module, fingerprintscanner, iris scanner, etc.), a physiological sensor 228 (e.g., a heartrate sensor, blood pressure monitor, plethysmograph, motion sensor, bodythermometer, etc.), a human machine interface (e.g., display, speaker,keyboard, mouse, joystick, trackball, trackpad, touch pad, touch panel(display), microphone (e.g., for voice commands), etc.), and/orsituational data sensors 232 (e.g., see FIG. 4; a situational datasensor 232 can include a force sensor 240, position sensor 242,temperature sensor 244, air quality sensor 246 (e.g., smoke detectorand/or gas sensor), electromagnetic energy sensor 248, motion/proximitysensor 250, camera 252, microphone 254, etc.).

In some embodiments, one or more of the components are embedded withinthe system controller 202. For example, the system controller 202 caninclude circuitry and/or logic for the artificial intelligence engine216 and other processing systems/units/components of the UPSS 200. Othercomponents can be communicatively coupled to the system controller 202.For example, some UPSS 200 components can be connective via data cables,on-chip electrical connections, or via wired or wireless connections(e.g., via the physical connection interface 220).

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the system controller 202 includes atleast one processor 234, at least one memory 236, and at least onecommunication interface 238. The processor 234 provides processingfunctionality for at least the controller 202 and can include any numberof processors, micro-controllers, circuitry, field programmable gatearray (FPGA) or other processing systems, and resident or externalmemory for storing data, executable code, and other information accessedor generated by the controller 202. The processor 234 can execute one ormore software programs embodied in a non-transitory computer readablemedium (e.g., memory 236) that implement techniques described herein.The processor 234 is not limited by the materials from which it isformed or the processing mechanisms employed therein and, as such, canbe implemented via semiconductor(s) and/or transistors (e.g., usingelectronic integrated circuit (IC) components), and so forth.

The memory 236 can be an example of tangible, computer-readable storagemedium that provides storage functionality to store various data and orprogram code associated with operation of the controller 202, such assoftware programs and/or code segments, or other data to instruct theprocessor 234, and possibly other components of the UPSS 200/controller202, to perform the functionality described herein. Thus, the memory 236can store data, such as a program of instructions for operating the UPSS200 (including its components), and so forth. It should be noted thatwhile a single memory 236 is described, a wide variety of types andcombinations of memory (e.g., tangible, non-transitory memory) can beemployed. The memory 236 can be integral with the processor 234, cancomprise stand-alone memory, or can be a combination of both. Someexamples of the memory 236 can include removable and non-removablememory components, such as random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory(ROM), flash memory (e.g., a secure digital (SD) memory card, a mini-SDmemory card, and/or a micro-SD memory card), solid-state drive (SSD)memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, universal serial bus (USB)memory devices, hard disk memory, external memory, and so forth. Inimplementations, the UPSS 200 and/or the memory 236 can includeremovable integrated circuit card (ICC) memory, such as memory providedby a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a universal subscriberidentity module (USIM) card, a universal integrated circuit card (UICC),and so on.

The communication interface 238 can be operatively configured tocommunicate with components of the UPSS 200. For example, thecommunication interface 238 can be configured to retrieve image datafrom the camera 202, transmit data for storage in the memory 236,retrieve data from storage in the memory 236, and so forth. Thecommunication interface 238 can also be communicatively coupled with theprocessor 234 to facilitate data transfer between components of the UPSS200 and the processor 234 (e.g., for communicating inputs to theprocessor 234 received from a device (e.g., sensor 226/228/232, humanmachine interface 230, mobile device, location determining component212, etc.) communicatively coupled with the UPSS 200/controller 202). Itshould be noted that while the communication interface 238 is describedas a component of controller 202, one or more components of thecommunication interface 238 can be implemented as external componentscommunicatively coupled to the UPSS 200 via a wired and/or wirelessconnection. The UPSS 200 can also include and/or connect to one or moreinput/output (I/O) devices (e.g., via the communication interface 238),such as a display, a mouse, a touchpad, a touchscreen, a keyboard, amicrophone (e.g., for voice commands) and so on. For example, thecommunication interface 238 can include or can be coupled to atransceiver (e.g., wireless transceiver), physical connection interface220, one or more communication protocols 208, and so forth.

As shown in FIG. 5, the UPSS 200 includes a system enclosure 256configured to contain at least a portion of the UPSS components. Anexample embodiment of the system enclosure is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.The system enclosure 256 may include a body 258 that defines a cavityconfigured to contain some or all of the UPSS 200 components. As shownin FIG. 6B, in some embodiments, the body 258 is made up of two or morebody segments (e.g., upper body segments 258A, 258B and lower bodysegments 258C, 258D) that fit together to make the body 258. The systemenclosure 256 can also include endplates 260 located on either side ofthe body 258 and a support beam 262 extending through the body 258 fromone endplate 260 to the other. The endplates 260 may be attached to thebody 258 with a plurality of fasteners 264 (e.g., screws, bolts, or thelike). In some embodiments, the support beam 262 extends past theendplates 260 so that the support beam 262 can be coupled to a seatsupport structure 108. For example, the support beam 262 may extendthrough respective apertures formed in the endplates 260. The supportbeam 262 can provide a structural backbone for the system enclosure 256so that the system enclosure 256 its contents can be suspended from theseat support structure 108.

The form-factor of the system enclosure 256 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B isone example; however, the system enclosure 256 can be smaller, larger,and/or shaped differently for different implementations. For example,FIG. 7A through 7C show various passenger seats 102 that can coupledwith respective UPSSs 200, where the UPSS 200 has a small, medium, orlarge form-factor depending on the type of passenger seat 102 in/onwhich it is installed. FIG. 7A shows an example embodiment where thepassenger seat 102 is a passenger seat for a standard road vehicle(e.g., car, truck, van, SUV, etc.) and the UPSS 200 is implementedwithin a small system enclosure 256. FIG. 7B shows an example embodimentwhere the passenger seat 102 is a passenger seat for a mass transitvehicle (e.g., aircraft, train, boat, bus, etc.) and the UPSS 200 isimplemented within a medium sized system enclosure 256. FIG. 7C shows anexample embodiment where the passenger seat 102 is a larger (e.g.,private, business or first-class) passenger seat for a mass transitvehicle (e.g., aircraft, train, boat, bus, etc.) or a spacecraft, orsupersonic travel passenger seat, and the UPSS 200 is implemented withina large system enclosure 256.

Further, the UPSS 200 may be installed in/on other types of passengersupport structures (e.g., other than passenger seats). For example, FIG.8 shows an embodiment of a hospital gurney 300 that includes or iscoupled to a UPSS 200. The hospital gurney 300 may include a frame 302and a bed 304 that a passenger (e.g., a patient) can be seated or laiddown upon. The frame 302 may ride on a base 308 with wheels 310 andadjustable/collapsible supports 306 that hold the frame 302. The UPSS200 may be coupled to the frame 302 and configured to monitor passengervitals and situational data (e.g., motion, sound, location, etc.) whilethe passenger is transported from one place to another (e.g., from anoperating room to an intensive care unit, or the like).

The UPSS 200 may include or may be coupled with several sensors and/orperipheral devices that enable the UPSS 200 to monitor and control thepassenger experience. FIG. 9 illustrates a passenger environment 500where a passenger 400 is seated on a passenger seat 102 that is includesor is coupled to a UPSS 200. The UPSS 200 can be communicatively coupledto one or more components in/on the passenger seat 102. For example, theUPSS 200 may be communicatively coupled (e.g., via the physicalconnection interface 220) to seating hardware 502 (e.g., see FIG. 11;seating hardware 502 can include one or more seat actuators 510, atemperature controller 512, or the like) and/or one or more situationaldata sensors 232 that are embedded within or attached to the passengerseat 102 and/or its surrounding area. The UPSS 200 can also be incommunication with one or more media or health peripheral devices 604,such as, but not limited to, a human machine interface 230 (e.g.,display and/or any other user interface device), a health monitoringdevice 504, a mobile device 506 (e.g., smartphone, tablet, notebookcomputer, etc.), a wearable device 508 (e.g., smart watch, activitytracker, headphones, etc.), combinations thereof, and so forth.

The physical connection interface 220 can include wired and/or wirelessconnectors for connecting to the various components. For example, thephysical connection interface 220 may include a standardized physicalconnector and/or a standardized communication protocol (e.g., UPSScommunication protocol) for connecting to seating hardware 502,situational data sensors 232, a human machine interface 230, and/or anyother components that are built into or coupled to the passenger seat102 and/or its surrounding area. The physical connection interface 220may also include other physical connectors and/or communicationprotocols (e.g., USB, Ethernet, Lightning, HDMI, etc.). In someembodiments, the physical connection interface 220 includes at least onewireless (e.g., Bluetooth, near-field communication (NFC), WLAN)transceiver for connecting to the various components. For example, theUPSS 200 may be wirelessly connected to the situational data sensors 232or paired health monitoring devices 504 (e.g., biometric sensor 226,physiological sensor 228, or the like), mobile devices 506, wearabledevices 508, and the like.

In some embodiments (e.g., as shown in FIG. 10), a health monitoringdevice 504 (e.g., biometric sensor 226 and/or physiological sensor 228)is directly coupled to or at least partially embedded within a bodyportion 402 of the passenger 400. For example, the health monitoringdevice 504 may be adhered or fastened (e.g., with one or moremicroneedles, sutures, straps, tape, etc.) to a skin surface of the bodyportion 402. In another example embodiment, the health monitoring device504 can be embedded at least partially embedded within the body portion402 (e.g., at least partially disposed subcutaneously).

The passenger environment 500 can be part of a larger network ofmultiple passenger environments 500. For Example, each passenger seat102 can be associated with a respective passenger environment 500. Somecomponents (e.g., situational data sensors 232) may be shared among twoor more passenger environments 500.

FIG. 11 shows an example embodiment of a network environment 600 thatincludes the UPSS 200 in communication with seating hardware 502 (e.g.,seat actuator 510, temperature controller 512, etc.), situational datasensors 232, media and health peripheral devices 604 (e.g., humanmachine interface 230 (e.g., display, speakers, and/or any other userinterface device), health monitoring device 504, mobile device 506(e.g., smartphone, tablet, notebook computer, etc.), wearable device 508(e.g., smart watch, activity tracker, headphones, etc.), or anycombination thereof) and/or one or more network connections. Examples ofnetwork connections can include, but are not limited to, a mesh networkconnection 602 (e.g., via connection with seating hardware 502,situational data sensors 232, media and health peripheral devices 604,and/or other network-enabled devices (e.g., other UPSSs 200)), aconnection to a neural network and/or cloud computing system 606, anon-board physical systems network connection 608 (e.g., to communicatewith vehicle lighting systems, alarm/alert systems, crew communicationsystems, vending systems, etc.), an internet connection 610, or anycombination thereof.

Referring to FIG. 12, in embodiments, the one or more networkconnections facilitate communications between the UPSS 200 and anotherUPSS 200. The one or more network connections can also facilitatecommunication between the UPSS 200 and a passenger information system700. The passenger information system 700 may be configured to collectinformation from and distribute information to a plurality of UPSSs 200.In some embodiments, the passenger information system 700 facilitatescommunications between the UPSS 200 and another UPSS 200. For example,the passenger information system 700 can be configured to receive acommunication from a first UPSS 200 and relay the communication to asecond UPSS 200.

The passenger information system 700 may be an on-board (e.g.,in-vehicle system) or a remote (e.g., server or cloud-based) system thatis configured to communicate with the UPSS 200 via the internetconnection 610. In some embodiments, the passenger information system700 can include on-board and remote components. For example, thepassenger information system 700 can be a distributed system with anon-board component that collects data from the UPSSs 200 and a remotecomponent that periodically receives and stores a copy of the collecteddata or a portion of the collected data (e.g., critical data items). Inembodiments, the passenger information system 700 may include at leastone server 702 (e.g., a computing device or network of computingdevices) having a communications interface 704 (e.g., a receiver 706,transmitter 708, transceiver 710, or any combination thereof) and atleast one processor 712 (or controller) in communication with a memory714. The memory 714 can include a database 716 configured to storeinformation received by the passenger information system 700, forexample, passenger status updates, sensor data (e.g., health, activity,and/or situational data), passenger inputs/requests received viaperipheral devices 604, and so forth.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 through 12, the UPSS 200 can beconfigured to monitor and interact with the passenger 400 and/or thepassenger environment 500. For example, the UPSS 200 can continuously orperiodically collect data from the one or more biometric sensors 226,physiological sensors 228, and/or situational data sensors 232. Theartificial intelligence engine 216 (or system controller 202) isconfigured to determine a passenger status based one the sensor data.The artificial intelligence engine 216 (or system controller 202) isfurther configured to generate one or more communication signals basedon the sensor data. For example, the artificial intelligence engine 216(or system controller 202) can be configured to generate one or morecommunication signals including at least one control signal for theseating hardware 502, at least one information signal for a peripheraldevice 604, or at least one status signal for transmission via a networkconnection (e.g., to the passenger information system 700).

In an example embodiment, the artificial intelligence engine 216 (orsystem controller 202) is configured to determine the passenger statusat least partially based on a passenger identity detected by thebiometric sensor 226. For example, the biometric sensor 226 can beconfigured to detect and identification feature (e.g., fingerprint scan,facial scan, iris scan, voice recording) associated with the passenger400, and the artificial intelligence engine 216 (or system controller202) can be configured to compare the detected identification featurewith one or more stored passenger identities to determine if theidentification feature matches one of the stored passenger identities.The passenger status can include a validation message (e.g., “correctpassenger”) when the detected identification feature matches with apassenger identity having authorization to occupy the passenger seat 102or an unauthorized passenger alert (e.g., “unauthorized/incorrectpassenger”) when the detected identification feature matches with apassenger identity that is not authorized to occupy the passenger seat102. In some embodiments, the passenger status can also include anunauthorized passenger alert (e.g., “unauthorized/incorrect passenger”)when the detected identification feature does not match with any of thestored passenger identities. In other embodiments, the passenger statuscan include an error alert (e.g., “cannot determine passenger identity”)when the detected identification feature does not match with any of thestored passenger identities.

The artificial intelligence engine 216 (or system controller 202) may beconfigured to access a passenger profile (e.g., via the passengerinformation system 700, stored profiles in the UPSS 200, or based onuser entries, pairing with a passenger mobile device 506, social mediaaccount, health records, etc.). The passenger profile may includepassenger preferences (e.g., seating preferences, lighting preferences,media preferences (e.g., favorite music/shows, etc.), meal preferences,and the like), health conditions (e.g., diabetes, high/low bloodpressure, etc.), age, height, weight, gender, and so forth. Theartificial intelligence engine 216 (or system controller 202) can beconfigured to determine the passenger status at least partially based onthe passenger profile. For example, the artificial intelligence engine216 (or system controller 202) can be configured to determine that thepassenger 400 suffers from acid reflux based on the passenger profileand can be configured to generate control signals for the seatinghardware 502 to place the passenger seat 102 at a slight angle when thepassenger seat 102 is in “bed mode.” In another example, if thepassenger profile indicates that the passenger 400 has a high risk ofdeveloping blood clots, the artificial intelligence engine 216 (orsystem controller 202) can be configured to generate an informationsignal (e.g., for a media or health peripheral device 604) to warn thepassenger 400 to get up and walk around periodically.

The artificial intelligence engine 216 (or system controller 202) may beconfigured to determine the passenger status at least partially based ona passenger vital status detected by the physiological sensor 228. Forexample, the artificial intelligence engine 216 (or system controller202) may be configured to receive a pulse or heart rate measurement fromthe physiological sensor 228. In the case of a major incident, theartificial intelligence engine 216 (or system controller 202) can beconfigured to send status signals (e.g., report passenger vitalstatuses) to the passenger information system 700 and/or directly toemergency or rescue entity systems. Where mass casualties may occur, thevital statuses can be used to prioritize search and rescue missions. Forexample, passengers with non-life threatening or unrecoverable (e.g.,minutes to live) injuries may be assigned lower priority than passengerswith critical but recoverable (e.g., life-threatening if left untreated)injuries. In another example, the passenger vital status (e.g., pulse orheart rate) may indicate that the passenger is sleeping, and inresponse, the artificial intelligence engine 216 (or system controller202) can be configured to generate one or more control signals for theseating hardware 502 to automatically recline the passenger seat 102. Insome embodiments, the UPSS 200 includes actuation control hardware 218coupled to or embedded within the system controller 202, where theactuation control hardware 218 is configured to generate the controlsignals for the seating hardware 502 (e.g., on command from theartificial intelligence engine 216 (or system controller 202).

The situational data sensors 232 can provide information about thepassenger 400 and/or the passenger environment 500. For example, theartificial intelligence engine 216 (or system controller 202) may beconfigured to determine the passenger status based on detectedenvironmental factors (e.g., smoke, excessive heat, toxic gases, shock,noise, etc.) that can affect the passenger 400 and/or are indicative ofa threat condition. Based on detected environmental factors, theartificial intelligence engine 216 (or system controller 202) may beconfigured to generate information signals to warn the passenger 400(e.g., via a media or health peripheral device 604) and/or generatestatus signals (e.g., for the passenger information system 700,emergency or rescue services, or the like). In another example, theartificial intelligence engine 216 (or system controller 202) may beconfigured to determine the passenger status at least partially based ona detected passenger activity level (e.g., detected by a force sensor240, position sensor 242, motion/proximity sensor 250, camera 252, orany other situational data sensor 232, or a combination thereof). Thepassenger activity level may be indicative of a passenger's level ofdistress, vital status, mobility, and so forth. Based on the passengeractivity level, the artificial intelligence engine 216 (or systemcontroller 202) may be configured to generate information signals towarn the passenger 400 to be more/less active (e.g., via a media orhealth peripheral device 604) and/or generate status signals (e.g., forthe passenger information system 700, emergency rescue services, or thelike).

The UPSS 200 may be configured to receive position/location data fromanother device (e.g., mobile device 506, passenger information system700, vehicle navigation system, or the like). In some embodiments, theUPSS 200 itself includes a location determining component 212 (e.g.,GNSS receiver, triangulation-based localizer (e.g., Bluetooth or Wi-Fireceiver), or the like). The artificial intelligence engine 216 (orsystem controller 202) may be configured to determine the passengerstatus at least partially based on positioning signals detected by thelocation determining component 212. For example, in someimplementations, the passenger status and/or communication signalsassociated with the passenger status can include position coordinatesfor the UPSS 200. This may help search and rescue responders locate thepassenger seat 102 (and hence, the passenger 400) in the event of amajor incident.

As described above, in some embodiments, the UPSS 200 can also include aGADSS 214. For example, the GADSS 214 may include an aircraft-gradeblack box with data recording components housed therein. In someembodiments, the artificial intelligence engine 216 (or systemcontroller 202) is configured to generate one or more communicationsignals based on information collected by the GADSS 214 when the sensordata indicates at least a threshold distress level. For example, whenthe physiological sensor 228 and/or one or more situational data sensors232 detect vital status or environmental factors that violatepredetermined acceptable parameters, the artificial intelligence engine216 (or system controller 202) may be configured to send GADSSinformation to the passenger information system 700, emergency or rescueservices, or the like.

From the above description, it is clear that the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein are well adapted to carry out the objects and to attainthe advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in theinventive concepts disclosed herein. While presently preferredembodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein have beendescribed for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood thatnumerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves tothose skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the broadscope and coverage of the inventive concepts disclosed and claimedherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A universal passenger seat system, comprising: anenclosure configured to be coupled to a seat support structure; a systemcontroller disposed within the enclosure; a physical connectioninterface comprising a standardized communication protocol for couplingthe system controller with seating hardware, at least one peripheraldevice, and at least one network connection; at least one of a biometricsensor, a physiological sensor, or a situational data sensor; and anartificial intelligence engine communicatively coupled to or embeddedwithin the system controller, the artificial intelligence engineconfigured to determine a passenger status based on data received fromthe at least one of the biometric sensor, the physiological sensor, orthe situational data sensor and further configured to generate one ormore communication signals based on the data, wherein the one or morecommunication signals include at least one of a control signal for theseating hardware, an information signal for the at least one peripheraldevice, or a status signal for transmission via the at least one networkconnection.
 2. The universal passenger seat system of claim 1, whereinthe physical connection interface further comprises a plurality ofcommunication protocols other than the standardized communicationprotocol.
 3. The universal passenger seat system of claim 1, furthercomprising a global aeronautical distress and safety systemcommunicatively coupled to or embedded within the system controller,wherein the artificial intelligence engine is configured to generate oneor more communication signals based on information collected by theglobal aeronautical distress and safety system when the data receivedfrom the at least one of the biometric sensor, the physiological sensor,or the situational data sensor indicates at least a threshold distresslevel.
 4. The universal passenger seat system of claim 1, wherein thenetwork connection comprises at least one of an internet connection, anon-board network connection, a mesh network connection, a neural networksystem connection, or a cloud computing system connection.
 5. Theuniversal passenger seat system of claim 1, further comprising actuationcontrol hardware coupled to or embedded within the system controller,wherein the actuation control hardware is configured to generate thecontrol signal for the seating hardware.
 6. The universal passenger seatsystem of claim 1, wherein the artificial intelligence engine isconfigured to access a passenger profile and determine the passengerstatus at least partially based on the passenger profile.
 7. Theuniversal passenger seat system of claim 1, further comprising alocation determining component communicatively coupled to the systemcontroller, wherein the artificial intelligence engine is configured todetermine the passenger status at least partially based on positioningsignals detected by the location determining component.
 8. The universalpassenger seat system of claim 1, wherein the artificial intelligenceengine is configured to determine the passenger status at leastpartially based on a passenger identity detected by the biometricsensor.
 9. The universal passenger seat system of claim 1, wherein theartificial intelligence engine is configured to determine the passengerstatus at least partially based on a passenger vital status detected bythe physiological sensor.
 10. The universal passenger seat system ofclaim 1, wherein the artificial intelligence engine is configured todetermine the passenger status at least partially based on a passengeractivity level detected by the situational data sensor.
 11. A passengerseat, comprising: a lower body support member disposed upon the seatsupport structure; an upper body support member adjacent to the lowerbody support member; a seat support structure coupled to at least one ofthe lower body support member or the upper body support member; anenclosure coupled to the seat support structure; a system controllerdisposed within the enclosure; a physical connection interfacecomprising a standardized communication protocol for coupling the systemcontroller with seating hardware, at least one peripheral device, and atleast one network connection; at least one of a biometric sensor, aphysiological sensor, or a situational data sensor; and an artificialintelligence engine communicatively coupled to or embedded within thesystem controller, the artificial intelligence engine configured todetermine a passenger status based on data received from the at leastone of the biometric sensor, the physiological sensor, or thesituational data sensor and further configured to generate one or morecommunication signals based on the data, wherein the one or morecommunication signals include at least one of a control signal for theseating hardware, an information signal for the at least one peripheraldevice, or a status signal for transmission via the at least one networkconnection.
 12. The passenger seat of claim 11, further comprising aglobal aeronautical distress and safety system communicatively coupledto or embedded within the system controller, wherein the artificialintelligence engine is configured to generate one or more communicationsignals based on information collected by the global aeronauticaldistress and safety system when the data received from the at least oneof the biometric sensor, the physiological sensor, or the situationaldata sensor indicates at least a threshold distress level.
 13. Thepassenger seat of claim 11, wherein the network connection comprises atleast one of an internet connection, an on-board network connection, amesh network connection, a neural network system connection, or a cloudcomputing system connection.
 14. The passenger seat of claim 11, furthercomprising actuation control hardware coupled to or embedded within thesystem controller, wherein the actuation control hardware is configuredto generate the control signal for the seating hardware.
 15. Thepassenger seat of claim 11, wherein the artificial intelligence engineis configured to access a passenger profile and determine the passengerstatus at least partially based on the passenger profile.
 16. Thepassenger seat of claim 11, further comprising a location determiningcomponent communicatively coupled to the system controller, wherein theartificial intelligence engine is configured to determine the passengerstatus at least partially based on positioning signals detected by thelocation determining component.
 17. The passenger seat of claim 11,wherein the artificial intelligence engine is configured to determinethe passenger status at least partially based on a passenger identitydetected by the biometric sensor.
 18. The passenger seat of claim 11,wherein the artificial intelligence engine is configured to determinethe passenger status at least partially based on a passenger vitalstatus detected by the physiological sensor.
 19. The passenger seat ofclaim 11, wherein the artificial intelligence engine is configured todetermine the passenger status at least partially based on a passengeractivity level detected by the situational data sensor.
 20. A system,comprising: an enclosure configured to be coupled to a passenger supportstructure; a system controller disposed within the enclosure; at leastone of a biometric sensor, a physiological sensor, or a situational datasensor; and an artificial intelligence engine communicatively coupled toor embedded within the system controller, the artificial intelligenceengine configured to determine a passenger status based on data receivedfrom the at least one of the biometric sensor, the physiological sensor,or the situational data sensor and further configured to generate one ormore communication signals based on the data.